Summary Statement

Washington State Department of Labor narrative of a fatal accident when a painter in an aerial lift touched power lines, was electrocuted, and fell.
2003

Industry:
Painting

Release
Date: January 9, 2003

Occupation:
Painter

Case No.:
02WA04601

Task:
Operating elevating boom manlift

SHARP Report
No.: 71-7-2003

Type of
Incident: Electrocution/Fall

On August 4, 2002,
a painter was killed when he fell from the bucket of an elevating boom
type manlift after suffering electrocution when he came in contact with
an energized overhead powerline. The 48-year-old worker was on his second
day on the job with his employer, a painting contractor. The job involved
painting the exterior of a multi-story, multi-unit condominium. He was
hired on for the duration of the job. Prior to the incident, a supervisor
had given the worker a fall protection harness. He was not given any
training or instruction in using the lift, he had never used such a
lift before. The supervisor then left the worker in order to attend
to another task. The worker then got into the bucket of the manlift
and raised it to about 35 feet where it contacted an energized 26,000
volt powerline. The worker then somehow fell from the lift and struck
the ground. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Requirements/Recommendations
(! Indicates items required by law)

! Evaluate
the job site for potential electrocution hazards before starting work.

Access the
work area using a method that won't expose workers to live overhead
power transmission lines.

Qualified individuals
must train users of aerial lifts in their safe operation and the hazards
associated with their use. Workers should be trained on the specific
model of aerial lift being used at the job site, as controls and operating
procedures may vary from one type or model to another.! Always operate aerial lifts in accordance with manufacturer's
operating instructions and safety rules.

The level of
supervision over a job should be dictated based on the worker's level
of experience and hazard of the operation. ! Workers must stay at least 10 feet away from live overhead
power transmission lines, unless they are qualified for doing electrical
work. ! When working at elevation, the appropriate fall protection
equipment must be used.

State Wide Statistics:
This was the 42nd work-related fatality in Washington State during the
year 2002 and was the 9th construction fatality of the year. This was
also the 4th electrocution-related death of the year.